Bayern wary of Lyon despite Juninho´s absence

Goalkeeper Michael Rensing insists Bayern Munich will not have an easy time in Lyon for Wednesday night's Champions League clash despite the French club missing Brazilian midfielder Juninho.

Bayern travel to Lyon's Stade de Gerland for the Group F clash which will decide who goes through to the first knock-out stage as group winners.

Both teams are safely into the next round and are both on 11 points, but Bayern have been handed a pre-match boost with the news that Lyon's play-maker Juninho Pernambucano is suspended for the game.

“Whatever, we'll still have to watch ourselves,” insisted Bayern shot-stopper Rensing when he heard the news.

“They also want to win the group, and they'll give everything for 90 minutes.

“We've not been handed a bye just because Juninho's out.”

Lyon slumped to their third French league fixture without a win last Saturday when they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Nantes and their lead at the top of the league table in France has been slashed from seven to three points.

Lyon's 13-goal hitman Karim Benzema is also doubtful with a hamstring problem which has kept him out of Lyon's last two games, but Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann refuses to take them lightly.

“They're very strong and one of the best teams in Europe,” said Klinsmann.

But Rensing admitted he was relieved to see Juninho's name off the team-sheet.

“Even when Juninho shoots from the halfway line, it's dangerous because the ball changes direction several times,” said the Bayern goalkeeper.

“It's helpful to us that they'll have to rethink their set plays.”

Bayern will be without Germany striker Lukas Podolski (training injury), their Brazilians, midfielder Ze Roberto (muscular problem) and defender Lucio (flu), plus defender Christian Lell (stomach complaint) for the trip to Lyon.

Klinsmann has promoted reserve team captain George Niedermaier in place of Lucio.

Lyon will also need to reorganise at the back with central defender Cris also serving a ban, Mathieu Bodmer, Francois Clerc and Anthony Reveillere are injured, and full-back John Mensah is doubtful.

And Lyon coach Claude Puel may rest some of his key players ahead of a league showdown with chief title rivals Marseille this weekend.

But Lyon are fired up for the visit of the Germans.

“This is exactly the right time to pick ourselves up and show what we can do,” said Lyon's Sweden midfielder Kim Kallstrom.